Use the INDIRECT function but all the Cerificate files will need to be open
I do not have time to test but something like
=indirect("'[certificate" & ROW(A1) &".xls],VAT'$D$24")
best wishes
--
www.stfx.ca/people/bliengme


"willem" wrote:

Hi,

Am bussy compiling a summary of certificates and can't get excel to number
up automatically when I copy (pull down with mouse) the cell. I need the same
cells from different certificates. It keeps certificate one and I have to
change it all by hand for a dozen colums.

=C:\my documents,... '[certificate 1.xls],VAT'$D$24
=C:\my documents,... '[certificate 2.xls],VAT'$D$24
=C:\my documents,... '[certificate 3.xls],VAT'$D$24

etc

Thanks